Not 'appy!!

"Him in doors" has been in Victor mode for the last two days. (For our American readers Victor Meldrew is a "grumpy old man" who features in a British sitcom").

John spent all weekend taking down the ceiling in what was our bedroom. I couldn't understand why he was taking down the framework which levelled the ceiling but unfortunately I didn't say anything until he had taken it all down.He assumed that I wanted the beams exposed - Why? We are trying to improve communications in our household.

Our neighbours, Michel and Michele came to see us on Sunday to see how the project was going. They were not impressed with the rate of progress and said that we should make it clear to the builder that this was not acceptable. Well we had a word with him yesterday (not too confrontational) and he assured us that he was trying to recruit more labour and gave us a verbal schedule that didn't sound too bad.

However all went pear shaped this morning. Cyrille - the boss - smashed the water pipe from the mains to our house. John had told them numerous times about the water pipe and even drew a plan yesterday to highlight the problem. Fortunately we had an appointment with the kitchen company this afternoon so I could get him away. We left with water pouring everywhere and John "chontering" so much that you must have heard him in the UK. He is frustrated that he cann't move things along and get cracking himself. Coupled with this the road is a total mud bath which is driving him mad. The builder made a token attempt to clear the road yesterday and dumped the earth on my irises, the ultimate crime.

I hope I can report that things are progressing more satisfactorily next time.